Vacuum closing machine



July 13, 1943 w PECHY 2,323,930

VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed July 16,1940 5 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Juiy 13, 1943. w. PECHY 3 VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet :5

Jag-5 INVENTOR BYSQI ATTOR N EY5 v Jufly 13, 1943. w. PECHY VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 h. 51/ ATTORNEYS July 13, 1943. w, PEc 2,323,930 I VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed July 16; 1940 5-Sheets-Sheet 5 anungl- ATTbRNE-Y Patented July 13, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE William Pechy, Manasqnan, N. 1., asslgnor to -American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of New Jersey Application July 16, 1940, Serial No. 345,829 2 Claims. (Cl. 226-82) The present invention relates to vacuum can closing machines of the valveless belt sealing chamber type and has particular reference to a high speed can closing machine in which seaming mechanism, carried in each pocket of a rotatable turret, operates on cans and covers which are automatically introduced into the turret pockets and seams the covers onto the cans while in vacuum.

The present invention contemplates an improved sealing apparatus of that general type of vacuum izing machine which utilizes a rotatable turret with peripheral pockets, the pockets being closed over during a part of their rotation by a flexible belt member. The Taliaferro Patent 1,403,879, issued by the United States Patent Office on January 17, 1922, and covering a Vacuum capping machine, is an example of such a type of machine.

The present invention is directed to avoiding certain difliculties which have been encountered in these machines and at the same time to overcoming certain limitations so as to adapt the general principle to more modern conditions. In all such machines as far as is known no provision has been made:

(1) For rotating a can while enclosed in a vacuum chamber,

(2) For seaming a, can cover onto a can,

(3) For separately passing a can and a cover into sealing position within a vacuum chamber,

(4) For receiving a can and cover without any rotation of either and, after clamping can and cover together, for rotating both for a seaming operation. An object of the present invention is the provision of a compact high speed vacuum can closing machine which functions to seam can covers onto cans while in a vacuum chamber formed by enclosing a peripheral pocket of a rotating turret by means of a flexible belt member.

Another object is the provision in such a machine, of devices for inserting cans and covers into pockets of the turret for first assembling and clamping each can and a corresponding cover without rotation together with'means for creating a vacuum both within the chamber and within the can, the clamped can and cover thereupon being rotated for a seaming operation while stillbroken away;

the chamber and one which may be removed easily and quickly from sealing position in order to gain access to the turret pocket.

Still another object is the provision of an improved construction of a vacuum closing machine which provides for full seaming of a can and cover within a vacuum chamber and which has all actuating parts located on the exterior of the chamber, thus permitting compactness of the vacuum chamber.

Another object of the invention is the provision of clutch devices in such a vacuum closing machine, which are located exteriorly of a sealing chamber but which control actuation or nonactuation of the mechanism within the sealing chamber.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description,v which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof. I 1

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vacuum closing machine embodying the present invention, parts being broken back and parts'being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a horizonal sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 in .Fig. 1, cans and covers being shown in full and in such positions as to exemplify their travel through the machine;

Fi 3 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the seaming units of the apparatus on one side of a' turret which carries the units, being substantially a vertical section as viewed along the line 33 in Fig. 2, but the opposite side being Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but shown on an enlarged scale with certain parts broken away and shown at diiferent levels to further exemplify the actuation of these parts;

Fig, 5 is a vertical sectional detail of one flexible belt support taken substantially along the line 5-5 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. ii is a vertical sectional detai1 of a part A rotatable turret 25 (Figs. 2 and 3) is formed with peripheral pockets 26 and is adapted to rotate on a stationary column 21 which is provided with a bottom flange 28 (see also Fig. 1). This bottom flange is bolted to and is supported by a horizontal web wall 29 of the housing 2|.

The turret 25 below the region containing the pockets 26, is formed as a sleeve section 36 (Fig. 3) which loosely surrounds the stationary column 21. At the bottom the sleeve section is extended outwardly in a circular flange 36. Flange 36 at its outer periphery is formed with gear teeth 31 (see also Fig. 1) which engage with a gear 38 keyed to a vertical drive shaft 39.

The shaft 39 is journaled for rotation in a bearing 4| formed in the web wall 29, this being at the top, and in a bearing 42 formed in the top part of a bracket 43 which is mounted on the base 23. The shaft 39 provides for support of a sleeve 44 which constitutes a clutch drive and brake mechanism the details of which will be fully described later. The sleeve 44 may turn on the shaft or with the shaft depending on the condition of the clutch. 1

The sleeve is formed with or is fixed to a gear 45 by means of which the sleeve is turned. Gear 45 meshes with a large central gear 46 mounted upon the lower end of a vertical shaft 41; The shaft 41- is journaled for rotation in-top and bottom bearings 48 formed in the stationary column 21. The gear 46 is connected with or may be formed as an integral part of abevel gear which is located just below on the gear shaft 41.

The shaft 41 constitutes a drive to rotate the turret 25 as through the sleeve 44 and also to operate the seaming mechanism for the machine. It is driven by an electric motor or other prime mover through the following parts. The gear 5| (Fig. 1) meshes with and is driven by a pinion 52 which is mounted upon a short shaft 53 journaled in a bearing 54 carried in the upper end of .a bracket 55. This bracket is mounted upon the base 23.

An electric motor 56 is also mounted upon the base 23 and its drive shaft 51 may be directly connected to drive the shaft 53, as by a multiple V-belt drive designated broadly by the numeral 58., By means of this connection, the motor 56 rotates the central shaft 41 and the sleeve 44 which may or may not actuate the seaming mechanism or the turret as this will depend upon certain clutches connected in the drive of each.

The clutch connection for the seaming mechanism for each turret pocket is a combination twin clutch device which determines the rotation of the can within that particular pocket. There are thus anumber of these clutch devices. When the can does not rotate there is no seaming action. There is no seaming action in any of the turret pockets if the clutch for rotating the turret is unclutched since no seaming can take place when the turret is standing still. This will become evident as the description proceeds.

turret 25 (eight shown in the drawings) each device being carried on a vertical shaft 64 (see also Fig. 4).

Each shaft is journaled in a bearing formed in the turret 25 and above its clutch device 63 in a bearing 65. All of the bearings 65 are formed in a circular housing 66 which surrounds the central shaft 41. It is the shaft 64 that provides for rotation of a can a in its particular seaming head and in its turret pocket 26. This will be fully described hereinafter.

Before proceeding with a description of how the can a is seated'within its pocket for a seaming operation reference may be made at this time to the clutch device which controls the rotation of the turret. In this case the shaft 39 is the driving element for the turret and carries the same kind of clutch device, broadly indicated by the numeral 61 (Fig. l), as the twin clutch 63 used for each seaming mechanism. The operation of this will be further discussed after a description of the can travel is given.

The feed table 24 and passage of cans thereover is best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The cans a pass along a straight path when first entering thefeed table and as they are being brought into a turret pocket 26. A flat surface 15 of the feed table 24 extends at an angle to the turret 25 being tangent to the turretat its inner end. Cans a may be introduced into the runway of the feed table in suitable spaced manner and thereupon are engaged by a feeding device which propels the cans in spaced processional order along a straight line of travel over the surface 15. To maintain this straight line of travel, a guide rail 16 is mounted on the feed table 24 along one side. A cam casing plate I1 is also mounted on the feed table along the opposite side and is in position so that its inner longitudinal edge is spaced from and is parallel to the guide rail 16.

As soon as a can a. is deposited on the surface 15 of the table 24, it is engaged by a lever feed arm 8i which is pivotally mounted at 82 on a feed chain 83. There are a plurality of these i'eed arms on the chain which extends longitudinally of the feed table 24. At the entrance end of the feed table, the chain passes over a sprocket 84 carried on a horizontal idler shaft 85 journaled in bearings formed in the feed table 24. At the forward end of the feed line, this being adjacent the turret 25, the chain passes over a sprocket 86 mounted on a horizontal drive shaft 81 which is journaled in suitable bearings also formed in the feed table 24. The chain 83 also passes over a chain tightener sprocket 88 g which is mounted upon a third horizontal shaft 89 which is journaled in bearings formedin the feed table.

The upper run of the chain 83 constitutes it effective working section for the can travel and its lever feed arms 8| as they pass into the upper run are moved along directly over the feed table surface I5. During such passage, each arm independently is shifted in addition to its chain advancement so that the can with which it is engaged is accelerated in its travel along the feed table and toward the turret 25.

It may be explained at this time that this acceleration is provided so that the can may be properly synchronized with the moving turret pocket 26 into which it is to be fed. Fig. 2 clearly indicates that the space between adjacent pockets of the turret is greater than the space between cans at the entrance end of the feed table and this difference in spacing is compensated for bythe accelerated lever arm movement.

Rocking of each feed lever 6i on its pivot 82 is brought about by cam movement associated with the cam plate II. For this purpose each lever 8| extends beyond the pivot as an arm 95 the outer end of which rotatably supports a cam roller 86. Each roller throughout the upper run chain travel of its corresponding arm 35 traverses acam track 91 which is formed in the lower surface of the cam plate 11.

With this advancement of the cans along the feed table surface I the foremost can in the line reaches th position marked A (Fig. 2) where it enters the turret 25; At this time one of the pockets 26 is moving adjacent the end of the feed table and accordingly this foremost can, under the sweeping action of the feed arm 6i, begins its entrance into the pocket.

Each pocket 26 contains a can support IIII (Fig. 3) which is mounted upon a rotatable shaft I02 journaled in bearings I03 formed in a depending frame section IIl4 of the turret 25. Reference has already been made to rotating the can while being seamed but at the time that the can a is moved into the pocket 26 of the turret the can support as well as the can are nonrotating. It is the rotation of the shaft 64 under control of the twin clutch device 63 that makes can rotation or non-rotation possible. This will be explained further as the description proceeds. From the position A, the combined rotation of the turret 25 and the advancing and swinging action of the can feed finger 6| is such as to deposit the can upon the support IIlI.

During the time that the can a is advancing along the feed table and as it is being brought into the turret pocket at station A, a can cover or can end b is released from a stack of ends and is also moving toward the turret. When the can a. reaches the position B (Fig. 2) the can cover has been brought into the same pocket 26 of the turret. Station B therefore is an assembling station for at that time the can cover b is assembled with the can a. Feeding of the can cover will next be considered.

The can covers b (Figs. 1 and 2) are contained in stack formation within a can cover magazine 0. Such a magazine includes vertical bars III which are carried upon and which extend able and vertical movement within a bearing I23 formed in the feed turret 26 and in a bearing I24 formed in a turret cover plate I26 mounted upon and secured to the turret. At the time that the can and the cover are first assembled at station B; this chuck I2I, like the can support IIII, is stationary. Where the can cover has a sealing compound in its sealing flange, which is usual, this non-rotation between can and cover when first assembled is of great advantage as such compound will not be disturbed.

As the moving turret 26 continues its advancement in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2)

from the station B. the chuck I2I and its shaft v I22 move down to clamp the can and cover between the chuck and the can support IIII. This movement is effected by cam action best illustrated in Fig. 3. A curved cam disc I3I is hung near its center on a top plate I32 which is secured to and which provides a cover for the upper housing 2|. By means of this connection the cam disc is'held stationary at all times and each chuck unit moves around it.

The outer periphery of the cam disc is formed as a cam ring and this ring has a lower cam surface I33 and an upper cam surface I34. These two cam surfaces are spaced. apart a uniform distance so that the contour of one cam surface follows the contour of the other. The lower cam controls lowering of the chuck, the upper cam raises it as will beexplained.

Each shaft I22 above the bearing I24 terminates in an enlarged head I35. This head houses a thrust ball bearing I36 which permits rotation of the shaft I22 with its head I35 without rotating an upper block I31 mounted upon the thrust bearing. Each block I3! carries a pair of spaced upright arm members I38 which support a horizontal pin I39 on which a cam roller I is rotatably mounted. The outer of the spaced arms I38 projects above the cam ring as an extension I42 'which at its top carries a pin I43. A cam roller I44 is rotatably mounted on the pin I43.

chuck units just described moves around the cam ring andthe cam rollers I4I, I44 transverse the above a circular housing II2. These bars retain brought about by a suitable cover feeding device, indicated generally by the numeral H3.

. Such a device includes a plurality of feeding fingers I I4 which are adapted to be carried around in a circular path of travel and each finger also has independent movement by swinging on its support. This is a conventional type of can .cover feed mechanism well known in can manufacture and further detailed description is thought to be unnecessary.

When can and cover are thus positioned in a pocket 26 of the turret 25 the cover rests loosely on the can and the latter is supported by the support plate II. In this position can and cover are beneath and are in axial alignment with a seaming chuck I2I (Fig. 3) which at this time is spaced just above the cover b.

Chuck I2I is carried on the lower end of a vertical shaft I22 which is mounted for rotatrespective cam surfaces I33, I34. The contour of these surfaces is such as to cause the chuck I2I to move down and tightly clamp the can and cover for a seaming operation.

Before the can and cover are to be seamed in the turret pocket 26, the same is sealed off from atmosphere and an enclosed chamber X is formed. Such a chambersurrounds the can and cover and the seaming mechanism and provides for the can being vacuumized, This sealing ofl of the chamber will first be considered and reference should be had to Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

As the can and cover disposed between the can support IIlI and chuck I2I leave the station B and approach the next position, designated as station C, the outer periphery of the turret 25 is engaged by an endless sealing belt ISI. This belt is preferably formed from suitable flexible material such as rubber which is impervious and is further strengthened laterally by parallel reenforcing bars I52 embedded in the rubber.

-The belt I5I at the time it first engages the periphery of the turret 25, passes over a roller I53 which freely rotates on a vertical shaft I54. The shaft I54 is carried in a bifurcated bracket section I55 which is an integral part of a hingedly mounted curved support arm I56 the opposite end of which is also bifurcated as a bracket section I51. The latter is supported in lugs I58 which extend out from the rear wall of the housing 2|. i

Pivotal connections obtain between the bracket head I51 and the supporting lugs I58 and are effected by means of a vertically disposed shaft I 6I which passes through both members I51 and I58, said shaft being loose in the lugs but tightly held in the bracket head. Shaft I6I extends below the lower lugs I58 and supports a coil spring I62 the upper end of which is anchored at I63 in the lower lug, The lower end of the spring extends into and is held in an opening formed in the shaft, as at I64. The effect of the spring I62 isto tend to swing the arm I56 inwardly so that its roller I53 is brought toward the turret and this holds the belt II where it passes over the roller, yieldably against the periphery of the turret.

The inner run of the belt I5I engages the periphery of the turret for a distance of substantially 180 degrees and on the opposite side of the turret the belt passes over a roller I61 which is similar in construction to the roller I53. Roller I61 is loosely mounted on a vertical shaft I68 which is carried in a bifurcated bracket section I69 of a hingedly mounted curved support arm IN. This part corresponds in construction to the arm I56.

The arm I1I is an integral part of a bifurcated bracket section I12 which is fastened to a vertical shaft I18. Shaft I18 is loosely carried in spaced lugs I14 which extend inwardly from the rear wall of the housing 2I. The shaft I18 is provided with spring means by means of which the roller I61 is urged toward the turret 25. It will be observed that the support for the belt is duplicated on opposite sides of the turret 25.

The outer run of the belt I 5I extending between the rollers I53 and I61 passes first over a roller I11 loosely mounted on the vertical shaft I6I and over a similar roller I13 loosely mounted on the vertical shaft I18. This outer run of the belt therefore is carried on the four rollers I53, I11, I13, and I61 and is held away from the turret and passes on the outside of the two supporting arms I56, I1I.

The spring held shafts I6I, I18 make it'possible to swing or hing the two belt support members I56, I1I on their respective shafts I6I, I18 so that the rollers I53 and I61 together with the belt are moved out and away from the turret. This change in position of the belt is indicated by dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 2 and it will be observed'that in this position only a small portion of the belt engage the periphery of the turret. .This allows for access to the pockets 26 of the turret and to the various mechanisms contained therein for purposes of repairor inspection.

In order to allow for this opening up' of the conveyor belt I5I, the housing 2| along two sides is cut through in windows I8I and I82. Each window normally may be closed by a hinged casing plate. In other Words, when the belt is in operating position against the periphery of the turret the window I8I is closed off by a cover plate I83 (Figs. 2 and 3) hinged at I84 to the casing. In a similar fashion the window I82 is closed by a hinged cover plate I85. When the windows I8I, I82 are open, each of the arms I56,

of their associated springs at such time is overcome and the cover plates may be held in the open position in any suitable manner.

When the belt III tightly hugs the peripheral surface of the turret, each pocket 28 which is covered by the belt is closed oil and thus constitutes the confined sealing chamber 1. Such a chamber is then ready to be vacuumized and the manner of withdrawing the air will now be considered.

Each turret pocket 26 at the rear wall of its chamber X communicates with a horizontal bore I8I (Figs. 2 and 3) which is cut into the turret wall. A second bore I82 also cut in the turret wall intersects the bore I8I. bore I82 being vertically disposed and passing down through the gear section 86 of the turret.

The upper surface of the bottom flange 28 of the stationary column 21 is formed with a U- shaped circular groove I83 which extends through about 180 degrees being concentric with the center of the turret. A chamber X upon being brought into station C therefore comes into communication with the groove I83, the lower end of the bore I82 associated with that chamber passing over the groove. Said chamber remains in alignment with the groove during furtherrotation of the turret as will be more fully explained. The groov I83 at one position connects with a port I84 (Figs. 3 and 4) and a vacuum pipe I85 threaded into the column flange communicates at its inner end with such a port I84. The pipe I85 may be suitably connected with a source of vacuum such as a vacuum pump or a vacuum tank.

All of the chambers X which are in proper position, i. e., within the extent of th groove I88, undergo vacuumization, the air being withdrawn through the respective ports I 8|, I82 associated with these chambers. Figure 2 shows five different chambers which are closed off by the belt I5I and which are being vacuumized, a chamber being at the station C (Fig. 2) and the other chambers in sequence being at stations D,

E, F and G. It is during this travel through the respective station that the seaming action is effected.

It should be understood that the cover b is not tightly closed on the can a until after the desired air has been withdrawn from the interior of the can. There is an appreciable length of time therefore that the can and cover are being vacuumized before the cover is firmly seated on the can by the final descent of its chuck I2I. Following this vacuumization, the seaming op eration takes place. As a preliminary step in the seaming operation and while the can i being vacuumized both can and cover may berotated by rotation of th support shaft I02 and the chuck shaft I22.

The actual rotation of can and cover within each chamber X is directly dependent upon actuation of the clutch device 63 which is associated with that particular chamber. It will be recalled that mention was made that the clutch device was of a twin or dual nature and functioned as a clutch to effect rotation of certain parts or a a brake to hold such parts against rotation. This will now be considered more in detail.

The gear 82 continually rotates a long as the driving gear 6| is being rotated by the shaft 41. When the clutch device 63 is in an unclutched and braked position, this rotation of the gear 62 has no eflect upon the other parts of the seaming mechanism connected with the clutch. To change from braked to clutched position cer- 7 3') which is keyed to the associated shaft 64, the

lower end of the sleeve extending down into the gear 62. This sleeve is directly below thebearing 65 and supports at its upper and lower ends clutch dogs 202. ated to connect the shaft 64 with the driving gear 62 a sliding clutch actuating collar 203 mounted on the sleeve is lifted and the lower dog 202 effects a gripping of the gear 62 with laminated friction parts of the sleeve. At the same time the upper dog-202 releases the sleeve 20I from its held position relative to the bearing 65.

This shifting of the collar 203 is effected by cam movement and for this purpose a yoke 204 is carried on the lower end of a vertical rod 205 which has sliding movement within the circular housing 66. At the top, the rod 205- carries a roller 206 which traverses a circular cam track 201'formed in the curved cam disc I3I. At the properposition of the pocket relative to the stationary parts of the machine, the cam track 201 depresses the rod 205 and throws the clutch device into its clutched position. This depressing action of the rod is against the action of a spring 208 which is mounted on the rod above the housing bearing.

Each shaft 64 extends down through the turret 25. Besides being journaled in its bearing 65 in the circular housing 66, it is journaled in a bearing 2 formed on a support arm 2I2 which encircles the shaft I22 and forms, an integral part with an upper section of the turret. Directly above the bearing 2| I- and beneath the gear 62, a pinion 2I4 is mounted on and is keyed to the shaft 64. This pinion meshes with a gear '2I5 which is mounted on the associated chuck shaft I22 the shaft having a feather 2I6 by means of which the shaft is raised and lowered within the gear 2I5 without turning therein. This gear 2I5 thus provides for rotation of the chuck shaft and the chuck I2I.

At the lower end its shaft 64 carries a pinion 2I1 (See also Fig. 4) which meshes'with a gear 2I8 keyed to the lower end of the support shaft I02. Thepinions 2 I4 and 2 I1 being of the same size and the gears 2I5 and 2I8 being also of the same diameter, the chuck I2I and the support plate IOI are rotated in unison when the clutch device 63 is clutched. This clutched condition holds until the seaming of can and cover is completed.

After the seaming operation, the collar 203 of the clutch device is raised underthe action of the spring 208 operating through the yoke 204 and rod 205 the cooperating contour of the cam track 201 permitting such lifting. This disengages the gear 62 from the clutch sleeve 2M and the shaft 64 and all its controls stop moving. At the same time the braking function of the device comes into action, the upper clutch finger 202 frictionally engaging sleeve parts and the stationary bearing 65. This insures that the can and cover, together with the support plate IOI and the chuck I 2I, come to a sudden stop.

During the rotation of the can and its cover, this being while its vacuum chamber is passing from station C to station G, the can and cover When the clutch device is actuing rollers in the usual manner and this will now be considered.

A seaming head 225 (Figs. 3 and 4) is provided for eachof the turret pockets 26. Such a head is mounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft 226 which is joumaled in a bearing .221 formed in the upper part of the turret wall. This head 225 carries a first operation seaming roller 228 and a second operation seaming roller 228. These seaming rollers are properly grooved to effect the first and second operation seams'by successively bringing the rollers into seaming engagement with the can seam which at such time is backed up by the chuck I2I. For this purpose the seaming head 225 isswung from one position to another for first and second operations of seaming by oscillation of the shaft 226.

Each shaft 226 carries an arm 23I which is V mounted on the upper end of the shaft directly above its bearing 221. Such an arm extends inwardly toward the center of the turret and at its inner end carries a cam roller 232. Each cam roller '232 traverses a cam track 233 formed in a face cam 234 keyed to the stationary column 21 directly above the turret 25. As the cam roller 232 moves around the cam track the contour of the track is such as to swing the arm 23I back and forth so that the seaming head is oscillated and the seaming rollers are properly and successively engaged for the seaming operation.

By the time the can in its turret pocket has reached station G the seaming is completed and the continued rotation of the turret passes the chamber Xbeyond the belt I5I. This breaks the vacuum in the chamber. When the seamed can has reached the next station H (Fig. 2) it is I a ready for discharge. In coming into this position the can, still on its support plate IOI, passes into a pocket 235 of a discharge arm 236. This arm is caused to rotate bodily around a vertical shaft 231 and-at the same time-is independently flanges are united in the usual double seam.

actuated to assist in discharging the can from the turret. Such a discharge device may be of the type illustrated in the Neils P. Bach United States Patent 2,026,811, issued January 7, 1936, on Can feeding mechanism.

In cooperation with the discharge arm 236, a second pivotally .mounted discharge arm 24I (Figs. 2, 4 and 6) for each chamber assists in removing the, sealed can. Arm 2 is contained within the turret pocket and is curved at its outer end to fit the contour of the can seam. Each arm 24I is mounted on a vertical shaft 242 which is journaled in bearings 243 formed in the turret 25. The'shaft 242 extends above the upper bearing 243 and carries a cam arm 244 which extends outwardly from the center of the turret.

The cam am 244 carries a cam roller 245 which traverses a cam track 246 formed in a stationary cam rail 241 which is part of the housing 2I of the machine. The action of the cam member 241 is such as to insure rocking of the discharge arm 24I so as to cooperate with the arm 236 of the discharge device to sweep the can from the turret pocket. Such a. can in passing from the pocket is deposited upon and is then moved over a circular runway 248, carried on the frame of the machine. The discharge arms 236 not only engage and assist in moving the seamed can over the discharge runway 248 but also decelerate its travel as fully pointed out in the Bach patent mentioned above.

The clutch device 61 which affects the shaft 30, as has already been stated, may be of the type disclosed in the Pearmain United States Patent frame and may be connected with a sliding core rod 254 of a solenoid 255. Solenoid 255 may be secured to the machine frame and may be included in the electric wiring circuit which supplies the electric motor 58. By unclutching the device 81 the turret 25 thus may be stopped from rotating and may be held by the braking element as desired.

The shaft I! also provides for actuation of the feed chain 83. For this purpose the shaft carries a bevel gear 251 (Fig. 1) which is mounted on the shaft Just above the bearing 42. This gear meshes with a corresponding bevel gear 258 which is keyed to a short horizontal shaft 259.

Shaft 258 is journaled in suitable bearings formed in a bracket 26l mounted on the base 23. The shaft 259 also carries a sprocket 262 and a chain 28! operates over this sprocket and also over another suitable sprocket carried on the forward feed chain shaft 81. In this manner the feed chain 83 and its can propelling members are actuatedto feed cans when the clutch device 61 is clutched to the driving mechanism emanating from the motor 86.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a vacuum can closing machine, the combination of a rotatable can receiving turret having open pockets spaced along its peripheral wall for vacuumizing cans therein, means for rotating said turret, a plurality of rollers located outside of said turret and mounted for rotation on axes parallel to the axis of said turret, an endless belt member operative over said rollers and having movement in unison with said turret, means for shifting in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the turret some of the rollers with said belt to bring the latter into and out of engagement with the periphery of the turret whereby in one position the said belt member successively seals off said turret pockets to provide individual enclosed vacuum chambers and in another position the said belt member exposes the open turret pockets sufl'iciently to gain access thereto, and feeding devices for inserting cans and covers into said turret pockets prior to such sealing oif by said belt member.

2. In a vacuum can closing machine, the combination of a rotatable can receiving turret having open pockets spaced along its peripheral wall for vacuum closing cans therein, means for rotating said turret, a plurality of rollers mounted on shafts disposed parallel to the axis of said turret and located for rotation closely adjacent said turret, hinged supports each mounted at one end on a said roller shaft for hinging movement and each carrying another of said rollers at its other end, said hinged supports having means for vmoving the same from pocket sealing position to pocket exposing position and vice versa, an endless belt member operative over said rollers wherebywhen said hinged supports are in pocket sealing position the belt engages a substantial extent of the turret periphery and moves in unison with the turret to seal off said turret pockets as enclosed vacuum chambers, said hinged supports when in pocket exposing position exposing said pockets sufficiently to gain access thereto. and feeding devices located adjacent said turret for inserting a can and a. cover into a said turret pocket prior to said belt sealing oil. the pocket and prior to the vacuumizing of the can.

WILLIAM PECHY. 

